Cross-laminated timber (clt) panel connection

ABSTRACT

A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) connection is provided that can be used to connect at least two CLT components such as CLT panels. The CLT joint includes a first CLT component, a second CLT component, and a spline. The first CLT component includes a first recessed channel. The second CLT component includes a second recessed channel. A first end of the spline is configured to nest within the first recessed channel. A second end of the spline is configured to nest within the second recessed channel. The CLT panel includes a first CLT side and a second CLT side. The first CLT side includes a recessed channel. The second CLT side may be opposite the first CLT side and includes a grooved extension. The grooved extension and the recessed channel have complimentary patterns. A CLT panel system is also provided comprising a plurality of CLT panels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/110,192 for SPLINE, CONNECTOR AND HOIST filed on Nov. 5, 2020, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the art of Cross-Lamination Timber (CLT) construction, and more specifically to a CLT joint, a CLT panel, and a CLT panel system.

BACKGROUND

Cross-Laminated Timber or CLT is a pre-fabricated, engineered wood building material with unique and often superior building, aesthetic, environmental, and cost attributes. CLT wood panels are made by pressing perpendicular layers of lumber together with a layer of formaldehyde-free adhesive. The fusion of orthogonal wood layers is what gives CLT biaxial strength, durability, and stability. CLT can serve as a system-based approach for floors, walls, and roofs to form a high-performance, sustainable, and beautiful mass timber building of virtually any type.

CLT requires less energy to produce than other building materials such as steel and concrete and is made from renewable material. CLT panels may be prefabricated and are also lighter than panels made from other material such as steel, thereby reducing design costs of the building. CLT panels may be connected together to create the floor, wall, or roof. CLT panels may be connected via metal extrusions attached to the panels. However, metal extrusions can be heavy, costly, and time consuming.

SUMMARY

A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint is provided that can be used to connect at least two CLT components such as CLT panels. The CLT joint connects CLT components without metal extrusions or connectors. The CLT panel can be prefabricated and pre-assembled, and can be easily and quickly installed. The CLT joint includes a first CLT component, a second CLT component, and a spline. The first CLT component includes a first recessed channel. The second CLT component includes a second recessed channel. The spline including a first end and a second end. The first end and the first recessed channel have complimentary patterns. The first end is configured to nest within the first recessed channel. The second end and the second recessed channel have complimentary patterns. The second end is configured to nest within the second recessed channel.

A CLT panel is also provided. The CLT panel includes a first CLT side and a second CLT side. The first CLT side includes a first recessed channel. The second CLT side may be opposite the first CLT side and includes a second recessed channel. The first recessed channel is configured to receive a first end of a first spline. The second recessed channel is configured to receive a second end of a second spline

A CLT panel system is also provided comprising a plurality of CLT panels configured to connect to each other. A method of connecting the CLT panel system is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings different embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the teachings are not limited to the precise CLT joint, CLT panel, and CLT panel system arrangement shown.

FIG. 1A is an exploded elevation view of a CLT joint.

FIG. 1B is an elevation view of the CLT joint.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a CLT panel.

FIG. 3 is a top or bottom view of the CLT panel.

FIG. 4 is a left or right side view of the CLT panel.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a section of a CLT panel system.

FIG. 6 is an exploded front view of the section of the CLT panel system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the section of the CLT panel system.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of connecting a CLT panel system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint is provided. The CLT joint connects two or more CLT components together. CLT is a building material made from many pieces of dimensional lumber glued and stacked in multiple crosswise layers. CLT is a favored building component because it is made from strong and sustainable material. Moreover, it is lighter and cheaper than alternative building materials such as steel or aluminum. The CLT joint provides an efficient and cost-effective connection of two or more CLT components without using material such as steel or aluminum. The CLT joint allows for horizontal inter-story drift which may result during an earthquake and allows for vertical movement which may result from settlement and/or shrinkage.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a CLT joint 100. FIG. 1A is an exploded elevation view of the CLT joint 100. FIG. 1B is an elevation view of the CLT joint 100. The CLT joint 100 includes a first CLT component 200 a, a second CLT component 200 b, and a spline 400. The first and second CLT components 200 a, 200 b may be comprised of pieces of dimensional lumber glued and stacked in multiple crosswise layers. The first CLT component 200 a includes at least one recessed channel 300 a. The second CLT component 200 b also includes at least one recessed channel 300 b.

The CLT joint 100 includes a spline 400. The spline 400 may be comprised of wood. More specifically, the spline 400 may be comprised of plywood. The spline 400 is configured to connect the first CLT component 200 a and the second CLT component 200 b. Because the spline 400 is wood and the first CLT component 200 a and second CLT component 200 b are wood, thermal bridging within or through the joint 100 or CLT structure is avoided. A first end 410 of the spline 400 is configured to insert and nest within the recessed channel 300 a of the first CLT component 200 a. A second end 420 of the spline 400 is configured to insert and nest within the recessed channel 300 b of the second CLT component 200 b. At least one end 410, 420 of the spline 400 may have a step-down profile. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the first end 410 has a step-down profile. The spline 400 may also include at least one seal 500 on at least one of its ends 410, 420. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the first end 410 has a seal 500. The seal 500 may be fitted and adhered to the end 410, 420 with a membrane. The seal 500 is configured to prevent water or air from entering or passing through the CLT joint 100. The seal 500 may be made from an elastic material, such as an engineered polymer, which allows the seal 500 to compress when the spline 400 end 410, 420 is nested in the recessed channel 300 a, 300 b. The step-down profile of the end 410 provides the seal 500 room to expand tight against the sides of the recessed channel 300 a to create an airtight joint. The step-down profile also prevents the seal 500 from being sheared-off by the edge of the recessed channel 300 a when the end 510 is inserted into the recessed channel 300 a.

The corners 310 of the recessed channels 300 a, 300 b may have a chamfered edge. The chamfered corners 310 provide a wider opening to make it easer to insert the ends 410, 420 of the spline 400 into the recessed channels 300 a, 300 b. The chamfered corners 310 provide a tolerance to splines 400 that do not have perfectly straight sides. The chamfered corners 310 also eliminates a sharp edge or corner that may shear-off the seal 500.

The design and fit of the spline 400 and the recessed channels 300 a, 300 b may create a space 510 between the first CLT component 200 a and the second CLT component 200 b when the ends 410, 420 of the spline 400 are nested in their respective recessed channels 300 a, 300 b. The space 510 allows movement and permits expansion and contraction of the first CLT component 200 a and second CLT component 200 b. The spline 400 creates a stronger joint than other connecting options.

FIGS. 2-4 show a CLT panel 600. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the CLT panel 600. The CLT panel 600 is comprised of pieces of dimensional lumber glued and stacked in multiple crosswise layers. The CLT panel 600 includes a first CLT side 610, a second CLT side 620, a third CLT side 630, and a fourth CLT side 640. Although, the CLT panel 600 in FIGS. 2-4 has four CLT sides 610, 620, 630, 640, the CLT panel 600 may have more or less sides.

FIG. 3 is a top or bottom view of the CLT panel 600 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a left or right side view of the CLT panel 600 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first side 610 and third side 630 include recessed channels 614, 634 configured to receive first ends 612, 632 of a first spline and third spline respectively. The second side 620 and fourth side 640 include recessed channels configured to receive second ends 622, 642 of a second spline and fourth spline respectively. The recessed channels and splines include the details and embodiments previously discussed. The recessed channels and their respective splines are configured to connect with recessed channels of adjacent CLT panels. CLT panels 600 may connect to each other via the CLT joint 100 previously discussed.

The CLT panel 600 and its joint 100 can be prefabricated and shipped to a job site. Once at the job site, the CLT panels 600 can be quickly and easily installed. Labor costs are reduced through faster installation. The CLT panels 600, which can connect to each other without steel or aluminum connectors, may be lighter and cheaper than panels that require alternative methods of connection. The CLT panel 600 and its joint 100 provide simple accommodation of vertical and horizontal displacement.

FIGS. 5-7 show a section of a CLT panel system 700. The CLT panel system 700 comprises a plurality of connected CLT panels 600. Each CLT panel 600 includes the details and embodiments previously discussed. The CLT panels 600 of the CLT panel system 700 connect together to form a structure such as a wall, floor, or roof. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an exemplary CLT panel system 700 with two CLT panels 600. FIGS. 5-7 show a top portion of a first CLT panel 600 a and a bottom portion of a second CLT panel 600 b. The plurality of CLT panels 600 connect together via CLT joints 100 previously discussed.

In the exemplary CLT panel system 700 in FIGS. 5-7, the first CLT panel 600 a connects to the second CLT panel 600 b by inserting the first end 650 a of a first spline 646 a into a recess 614 b of the second CLT panel 600 b. The second end 648 a of the first spline 646 a inserts into a recess 624 a in the first CLT panel 600 a. The first spline 646 a thereby connects the first CLT panel 600 a with the second CLT panel 600 b. The first spline 646 a may also include at least one seal 652 a.

FIGS. 5-7 also show a second spline 646 b that may be used to connect the first CLT panel 600 a with a third adjacent CLT panel not shown. The second end 648 b of the second spline 646 b inserts into a second recess 644 a of the first CLT panel 600 a. The first end 650 b of the second spline 646 b would then be inserted into the third adjacent CLT panel not shown. Abutting splines inserted into a CLT panel 600 may have angled ends so that they may form a corner or approximate 90 degree angle. Additional CLT panels may be connected via their respective recessed channels and splines.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of connecting a CLT panel system 1000. The method of connecting a CLT panel system 1000 can be carried out according to the method 1000 described in FIG. 8 and described below.

In step 1010, a first CLT panel and a second CLT panel are received. Each CLT panel includes at least one recessed channel. The CLT panels may include additional recessed channels to connect to adjacent CLT panels.

In step 1020, the first CLT panel and the second CLT panel are connected by inserting a first end of a spline into a recessed channel in the first CLT panel and a second end of the spline into a recessed channel in the second CLT panel.

The method of connecting a CLT panel system that includes four CLT panels may further include the step 1030 of receiving a third and fourth CLT panel. The third CLT panel and the fourth CLT panel include at least two recessed channels.

In step 1040, the third CLT panel is connected to the first CLT panel by inserting a first end of a second spline into a second recessed channel in the first CLT panel and a second end of the second spline into a first recessed channel in the third CLT panel.

In step 1050, the fourth CLT panel is connected to the third CLT panel and the second CLT panel by inserting a first end of a third spline into a second recessed channel in the second CLT panel and a second end of the third spline into a first recessed channel in the fourth CLT panel and inserting a first end of a fourth spline into a second recessed channel in the third CLT panel and a second end of the fourth spline into a second recessed channel in the fourth CLT panel.

Additional CLT panels may be added to the CLT panel system by connecting the recessed channels of adjacent CLT panels with splines.

Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made to the CLT joint, CLT panel, and CLT panel system without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein. 

1. A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint comprising: a first CLT component including a first recessed channel; a second CLT component including second recessed channel; and a spline including a first end and a second end, the first end and the first recessed channel having complimentary patterns wherein the first end is configured to nest within the first recessed channel, and the second end and the second recessed channel having complimentary patterns wherein the second end is configured to nest within the second recessed channel.
 2. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the first end of the spline has a step-down profiled.
 3. The CLT joint of claim 1 wherein the spline includes at least one first seal.
 4. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first recessed channel and the second recessed channel includes at least one second seal.
 5. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the first recessed channel, the second recessed channel, and the spline allow for displacement of the CLT joint.
 6. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the first CLT component and the second CLT component are each comprised of pieces of dimensional lumber glued and stacked in multiple crosswise layers.
 7. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the spline is comprised of wood.
 8. A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panel comprising: a first CLT side including a first recessed channel; and a second CLT side including a second recessed channel, the first recessed channel is configured to receive a first end of a first spline and the second recessed channel is configured to receive a second end of a second spline.
 9. The CLT panel of claim 8 further comprising a third CLT side including a third recessed channel and a fourth CLT side including a fourth recessed channel, the third recessed channel is configured to receive a third end of a third spline and the fourth recessed channel is configured to receive a fourth end of a fourth spline.
 10. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein the CLT panel is prefabricated.
 11. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first end of the first spline and the second end of the second spline has a step-down profile.
 12. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first end of the first spline and the second end of the second spline includes at least one seal.
 13. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein the first recessed channel and the first end of the first spline allow for displacement.
 14. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein the second recessed channel and the second end of the second spline allow for displacement.
 15. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein the CLT pane is comprised of pieces of dimensional lumber glued and stacked in multiple crosswise layers.
 16. The CLT panel of claim 8, wherein the first spline and the second spline are each comprised of wood.
 17. A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panel system comprising: a first CLT panel including a first CLT horizontal side including a first recessed channel and a first CLT vertical side including a second recessed channel; a second CLT panel including a second CLT horizontal side including a third recessed channel and second CLT vertical side including a fourth recessed channel; a third CLT panel including a third CLT horizontal side including a fifth recessed channel and a third CLT vertical side including a sixth recessed channel; and a fourth CLT panel including a fourth CLT horizontal side including a seventh recessed channel and a fourth CLT vertical side including an eighth recessed channel extension; a first spline configured to connect the first recessed channel with the seventh recessed channel; a second spline configured to connect the second recessed channel with the fourth recessed channel; a third spline configured to connect the third recessed channel with the fifth recessed channel; and a fourth spline configured to connect the sixth recessed channel with the eighth recessed channel.
 18. The CLT panel system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first spline, the second spline, the third spline, and the fourth spline include at least one seal.
 19. The CLT panel system of claim 17, wherein the first spline, the second spline, the third spine, and the fourth spline each have step-down profiles.
 20. A method of connecting a CLT panel system comprising: receiving a first CLT panel and a second CLT panel, wherein each panel include a recessed channel; and connecting the second CLT panel to the first CLT panel by inserting a first end of a spline into the recessed channel of the first CLT panel and a second end of the spline into the recessed channel of the second CLT panel. 